'AAP is Finished': Kunwar Vijay Pratap Joins BJP, Slams Kejriwal and Mann
Suspended AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap and two other leaders join BJP, claiming Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann caused AAP's collapse in Punjab.
In a major political shake-up ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, Kunwar Vijay Pratap, the suspended Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Amritsar North, officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday. The move came just hours after he resigned from the Punjab Legislative Assembly, signaling a significant blow to the ruling party in the state.
A Scathing Attack on Former Allies
Immediately after joining the BJP, Pratap did not mince words regarding his former party. He launched a blistering attack on AAP leadership, claiming that the party's political presence in Punjab has effectively vanished. According to him, the collapse of the party was an internal failure.
"In Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party is finished—Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann have brought about its collapse themselves. For all practical purposes, AAP no longer exists," Pratap told ANI.
Expressing confidence in the shifting political tides, the former MLA stated that a "double-engine government" (referring to the same party ruling at both the state and center) would soon be established in Punjab.
The 'Punjab First' Mission and Law & Order
Kunwar Vijay Pratap, who brings a background in law enforcement to the political arena, emphasized that his decision to resign and switch parties was driven by a "Punjab First" philosophy. He specifically highlighted the deteriorating state of security and the persistent drug crisis in the region.
Drawing from his experience as a former Superintendent of Police (SP) in Amritsar, Pratap claimed a track record of success in the past. He noted that during his tenure between 2007 and 2009, crime and drug abuse were completely eradicated. However, he lamented that since his departure from the force, the situation has spiraled out of control once again.
More Defections and Election Fever
Pratap was not alone in his exit. Two other rebel AAP leaders, Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra and Chetan Singh Jouramajra, also joined the BJP on Monday following their own suspensions and resignations from AAP.
This wave of defections occurs at a critical juncture as parties gear up for the 2027 polls. To recall, AAP had secured a landslide victory in the 2022 elections, winning 92 out of 117 seats, while the Congress trailed far behind with 18 seats.
AAP's Counter-Move: Candidate Lists Revealed
While dealing with these exits, AAP has already begun its strategic preparations for the next battle. On Saturday, the party announced its first list of 40 candidates, which includes several high-profile names:
- Bhagwant Mann: Chief Minister, contesting from Dhuri.
- Kultar Singh Sandhwan: Assembly Speaker, contesting from Kotkapura.
- Sanjeev Arora: Minister (currently in jail), contesting from Ludhiana West.
- Other Ministers: Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal (Ajnala), Balkar Singh (Kartarpur), Jai Krishan Singh Rouri (Garhshankar), Kulwant Singh (S A S Nagar), and Labh Singh Ugoke (Bhadaur).